11. Mani-Curious
F or the past couple of days, all three of them had played their roles perfectly, becoming the perfect guests.
The security guards stationed at every corner had stopped paying them such close attention.
Isaiah hoped the captain would tell the security to back off, since they had proved they could follow the rules.
They’d needed this dose of normality. Mina didn’t seem as on edge, even deciding to go to the pool alone this afternoon. Until now, she’d clung to Poppy’s side, making Isaiah wish Poppy had some of her self-preservation instincts.
He was currently sitting beside Poppy in the comfort of the nail boutique.
She was reclining in a white leather lounge chair, her eyes closed in blissful relaxation.
Isaiah, on the other hand, was bored and restless.
The manicurist had left them in peace for a moment while their hands were moisturising in heated gloves.
“Don’t you think you’re putting on a bit too much of a show with this whole act?” he asked, scrunching his nose at the overpowering aroma of the salon. The potent mixture of floral fragrances and chemical scents lingered in the air, dulling his senses.
“If I spend any more time in the pool, I’ll turn into a prune,” Poppy said, wriggling her fingers in the gloves.
“We’ve already been to the cinema twice and the bowling alley.
I don’t want to hang out inside bars or casinos because the other guests want to talk to me, and I’ll lose my mind if we go back to the suite. ”
The manicurist reappeared.
“Have you picked a shade, Ms Roe?” she asked Poppy, removing the gloves from her hands.
“I think ‘Summer Fling’ is the perfect shade of red,” she replied, matching the colour to her sundress.
“Excellent choice!” The manicurist smiled as she filed Poppy’s nails.
Isaiah tried to settle into the lounge chair beside her, his hands submerged in a glass bowl filled with slices of lemon and cucumber.
Despite the comfortable chair, his back was killing him from sleeping on the couch.
He felt like a fish out of water in this environment.
All the women in the surrounding chairs were staring at him like fresh meat.
“Are you comfortable, sir? Can I get you a coffee or herbal tea?” the manicurist asked him as he fidgeted.
“I’m fine, thank you,” he responded, not wanting to be rude.
“Ignore him. He isn’t used to such pampering,” Poppy said, not even trying to hide her amusement.
“Don’t get too comfortable. I might start thinking you’re doing this to annoy me,” Isaiah muttered, resigned to his fate.
“I’m simply making sure we’re ready for the opera tomorrow. I thought you could use some relaxation. Next time, I’ll send you for a massage instead.”
“Nice try, but I wouldn’t leave you for so long.”
“Maybe a couple’s one, then,” she said, delighted. He’d noticed that flirting with him brought her the most amusement.
“Absolutely not. I’m on duty, and being naked face-down isn’t exactly the best position to be in when faced with a threat.”
“Do you ever not think about work?”
“No.”
“Is your masculinity being threatened?” Poppy teased, side-eyeing him while the manicurist pretended not to listen.
“I’m very secure in my masculinity, thank you,” he said, annoyed and amused, “but I don’t want to have to reach for my gun with my hands covered in lotion.”
Poppy’s laughter caught him off guard. It was the best noise he’d heard since they’d got on board, though he wished it wasn’t at his expense.
“You could’ve come here with Mina, and I could’ve waited outside,” he pointed out.
“She wanted to go to the pool, and that’s progress for her. Also, she found out a Formula One driver, Francis something, that she likes is on board, and I can’t blame her for not wanting to pass up on that opportunity,” Poppy said.
Isaiah snorted. He doubted Levi would be happy about Mina flirting with another man aboard his ship. Still, Isaiah wouldn’t touchthat situation with a twenty-foot pole. He was in charge of keeping her alive, not keeping her away from men.
“You look irritated. Is there something going on between you and Mina?” Poppy cut through Isaiah’s thoughts, her tone carrying a hint of suspicion.
Isaiah shook his head. “Are you jealous?”
“No!” She snapped, not meeting his eye. “But it would explain why you were worried about her. Feel free to leave and go check on her.”
“There’s nothing between Mina and me. Eckells wanted me to look out for both of you; I told you that already,” he stated firmly.
“Can I ask how you know Mina’s boss? Are you a frequent visitor of the Heaven’s Heart club?”
“The club scene isn’t for me. I helped Eckells with a case, and we became friends.” Isaiah didn’t expand; Levi wouldn’t like him talking about their past.
“So you helped him get out of trouble? Make something disappear?” Poppy asked.
He tried not to be offended by her assumption.
“No, I’m not that type of detective. Someone he cared about deeply was attacked, and I helped him find out who.
” He kept his voice low; everyone on the ship worked for Levi.
“I’m not on his payroll, if that’s what you think. We both stay on our sides of the law.”
“Isn’t he paying you to help me?”She smiled.
“You’re the exception, Princess.”
“I feel so special.”
“You ask a lot of questions. Are you still questioning my trustworthiness?” he asked, noting that she flushed a little at the nickname, but didn’t comment on it. She was known as the Princess of Pop, after all.
“Sue me for trying to get to know the man who’s supposed to protect me,” Poppy huffed.
“Poppy! Is that you?”
A woman in a pink head towel and white robe stood over them. Her ageing skin was covered in thick clay that Isaiah thought couldn’t possibly be comfortable and was starting to crack as she smiled at Poppy.
The manicurist excused herself politely to let them talk. Isaiah stayed put. If Poppy wanted him to go, she would ask.
“Calliope, how lovely to see you. I didn’t know you were a guest here.” Poppy smiled at the woman, but Isaiah noticed it failed to reach her eyes. “Thank you for the white lilies you sent to the house. I was disappointed that you couldn’t make the funeral.”
“I don’t blame you for keeping to yourself.
It breaks my heart to think of all you’ve gone through recently.
” Calliope clutched her chest dramatically.
“I hope you’ll understand that I couldn’t leave Monaco.
We had spent weeks trying to get this chef on our yacht, and your aunt wouldn’t have blamed me for embracing life.
She always knew how to have a good time.
We had a toast in her honour, and I saw the livestream; she would have loved seeing you in her Chanel.
To think I even invited her to Monaco—but she refused because she wanted to be there for your last show! ”
“I didn’t know about that. She truly loves Monaco. If she’d been with you, she might still be alive,” Poppy said, dipping her head low.
Isaiah didn’t want the woman upsetting Poppy. He’d been so worried about how she was dealing with a potential killer that he’d forgotten about the grief she had so recently suffered. Still, it wasn’t his place to intervene.
“Hush, don’t think such things,” Calliope said, resting a hand on Poppy’s arm. “Martha was utterly devoted to you, and we can’t change what happened; what happened was no one’s fault. She has been in my prayers, as have you.”
“Thank you. She would be comforted to know that,” Poppy said. Her leg had started bouncing under the table; something about this woman had irritated her.However, anyone watching would never know from her tone or expression. Isaiah admired her masking skills.
“Martha and I were such kindred spirits back in the day. How many hours did we spend on sets together when we were only your age? I suppose our time has passed, and the industry belongs to the young. I can’t help but feel she was taken from us too soon.”
“My aunt would hate to hear you say so; she admired your talent. You should have seen how she reacted when you were nominated for an Academy Award last year. Her time may be over, but she would want you to embrace every opportunity,” Poppy said, taking Calliope’s hand before releasing it just as quickly.
Calliope’s smile tightened at the mention of the award. Isaiah couldn’t help but feel there was more to the story.
“I can only hope she’s watching over us. I’m sure she would be proud to hear you’ll soon be following in her footsteps. Some little birds have told me you’ll be making your acting debut this year?”
“Just some small projects.”
Calliope winked. “Right– best to keep your cards close to your chest. You never know when someone is listening. Especially on the Midas ; the walls have ears.”
“Oh, I have nothing to hide. It’s just a small indie film I’ve invested in– when there’s more to say, I’ll be happy to. Smaller projects are the right fit for me. I could never be able to live up to either of your talents,” Poppy said, charm dripping from every word.
“Stop! You’ll make me blush.” Calliope swatted at Poppy playfully before turning her attention to Isaiah, as though she had only noticed his presence. “Forgive me for being so rude. Who is your dashing friend?” She offered him her hand. “The ladies and I were wondering who was keeping you company.”
“This is Isaiah Rivers, my bodyguard,” Poppy said politely.